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Low Cost, 100% Renewable Energy is Possible

According to an unpublished study conducted by Mark Z. Jacobson, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University, all energy produced by the US and Canada can be powered by a 100% WWS (wind-water-solar) grid at a low cost without the addition of more hydropower turbines. In a tweet published on June 26, Jacobson presented the first page of his study, rebutting opponents to WWS power generation.

The study will build upon Jacobson’s prior research as founder of The Solutions Project, a nonprofit dedicated to educating the public on roadmaps to clean energy in the United States. One of the world’s top climate scientists, Jacobson, through his nonprofit, had proposed WWS energy plans for each of the 50 states and for 139 countries.  Jacobson’s findings prove that 100% renewable energy in the United States is completely affordable and completely in our reach. While Jacobson and his organization continue to push for viable solutions to eliminate fossil fuel usage, our president is withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, indicating that the only barrier standing in the way of 100% renewable energy is Big Oil and their money’s influence over American politicians.

Greenpeace published a similar report in 2015 in collaboration with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). The report finds that 100% clean energy in the United States is possible by 2050. This transition will create 20 million jobs over the next 15 years, and—unlike coal—will provide energy access to the one third of people globally that currently have none. The benefits of renewable energy are multitudinous, but it’s primary benefit is the elimination of fossil fuels. The fossil fuel industry has lobbied our congress into complacency while other major nations are leading the green revolution.

Climate Change is the foremost danger to the United States and should be treated as such. Climate Change may not be as physically evident as a terrorist bombing a building, but it can inflict much more damage upon the world. As discussed in Jacobson’s Layman’s summary of 139-country and 50-state roadmaps, fossil fuels are detrimental to society in a plethora of ways. Air pollution from sources such as car emissions and the chemicals released from factories result in the deaths of 4-7 million people every year, including 65,000 Americans. Air pollution also leads to the deterioration of the Ozone layer. Such deterioration allows large amounts of ultraviolet B rays to reach Earth. This is evident in “the Ozone hole,” which refers to polar regions affected by the recent Ozone depletion. Consequences include skin cancer, cataracts in humans, and harm to animals. In conjunction, the emission of greenhouse gases has escalated in the last 50 years to such an extent that we have passed the 410 parts per million threshold. Greenhouse gases, primarily Co2, are created by burning fuels like oil, natural gas, diesel, and organic-diesel and their concentration in the atmosphere is increasing. If we continue to remain sedentary on the issue of climate change the only future our kids will have is one of wars over water, rampant extinction, and a lack of food safety.

As our planet warms at an unprecedented rate we must take a bold stance as activists and continually push for action on climate change. The mainstream media does not do it’s job of reminding the populace of the dangers of further inaction. Join Greenpeace in this fight by tuning into Organizing 201, the second part to Organizing 101. In this online seminar we go over more advanced tactics and strategies in building a campaign plan. These seminars are just one of the many resources you can use to amplify your voice as you can attend local meetings held by environmental groups in your community. Remain hopeful in times of doubt as there are many, but never forget that we, the people, are much more powerful than Big Oil when we fight as one.

A quote to serve as your source of inspiration:

“Rise like Lions after slumber in unvanquishable number— Shake your chains to earth like dew which in sleep had fallen on you— Ye are many—they are few,” (Masque of Anarchy, Margaret Shelley).

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